"It could have gone either way"

Eamon O'Shea cut a contented figure after Tipperary secured their first victory in this year's Allianz Hurling League at Galway's expense.

"The wind was swirling, and it was raining at times. So, it could have gone either way. We got a cushion after half-time, and it saw us over the line," he told RTE after Tipp's 2-18 to 0-20 win in Thurles.

"They (Galway) are a really good, competitive team, and, you know, it was nip and tuck. There's nothing between these in the first division. Anybody can win on any given day. That's what makes it the competition it is."

The Tipperary manager said he was looking forward to have full access to all of his players now that the Fitzgibbon Cup is nearing an end.

"We have 12 players on Fitzgibbon duty, so on any given night I'd have only 18 players. So it makes life a little easier from now on, because we've a full panel," he added.